Review HCC Open Hotel Barcelona

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HCC Open Hotel Barcelona is a standard three star hotel located conveniently close to Plaza Espanya. This renders it a useful option for those attending conventions at the Fira de Barcelona conference centre. The hotel itself is standard and simple. However, it has a hidden added bonus. It sits a 10 - 15 minute walk from its sister hotel, St Moritz. This hotel is a four star and it offers its facilities to customers of HCC Open. These facilities include a pool and an outdoor terrace area.

The hotel lobby is large; with sand coloured marble floors and a deep green marble wall. The front desk is wide and sits before a gaping open space, giving the hotel a sense of grandeur. The hotel is likely to be popular with businesses - firstly, for its location close to the Fira de Barcelona and secondly, due its meeting room facilities (detailed below).

Hotel Facilities

Hotel HCC Open has no pool or gym. However, guests are granted access to all other hotels in the HCC groups. Some of these hotels, including the nearby St Moritz, are four-star. They offer a pool and terrace area.

There is a bar in the hotel that is open from 19:00 - 23:00 . There is no restaurant in the hotel. However, breakfast is served from 07:00 - 11:00 . This is a buffet breakfast and costs €16.00 (plus tax) per person.

No pets are allowed in the hotel. Check-in time is 12:00 noon and check-out time is also at 12:00 noon . The hotel is willing to be flexible on this when possible.

Business Facilities

There are two meeting rooms in the hotel. One holds approximately 100 people; the other holds approximately 50 people.

There is free Wi-Fi in the reception area and bar of the hotel for all guests. There is one computer with internet access for guests' use. It costs €3.50 for 15 minutes, €5.00 for 30 minutes and €7.50 for 45 minutes.

Facilities for the Disabled

There are 3 rooms in the hotel that have been adapted for disabled use. They have widened doors and extra bathrooms with a special bath. There are lifts to all floors.

Rooms

There are a total of 100 rooms in the hotel, over 7 floors. All rooms are either twins, doubles or triples. It is possible to add an extra bed to the rooms. This is free of charge for children under 12. Cots are also available for the rooms free of charge.

For those hoping for a quiet room, it is best to reserve one in the interior of the building. However, the rooms at the front of the building have double-glazed windows.

Room service is available in the mornings, from 07:00 - 14:00 .

All rooms include satellite television, telephone, air-conditioning, a mini-bar and a safe.

Hotel Location and Facilities

HCC Open Hotel is located a few minutes walk from Gran Via Corts Catalanes. This is a major road, linking Plaza Universitat to Plaza Espanya. However, the road does not just act as a thoroughfare, it holds much of interest itself. Casa Golferichs is located on the road, at number 491. This is a small building that houses a civic centre and is beautiful from the exterior, due to its wooden arches and colourful tiles.

Casa Golferichs

Escriba

Also on Gran Via Corts Catalanes, at number 546, is one of Barcelona's best patisseries - Escriba. This is a creative space, famed for its interesting creations. These include rings made from intricate patterns in sweets, red chocolate lips and bespoke celebratory cakes. It is possible to watch these works of wonder being created in a small workshop at the back of the shop. There is also a small café in the building.

At number 616 of Gran Via Corts Catalanes there is Barcelona's biggest travel bookshop. Even if you have no interest in buying a travel book, it is worth a visit for its beautiful interior. Its exposed pipes, comfortable couches and dim lamps give the space an air of magic in keeping with all of the old bookshops.

Many people staying at the hotel will be pleased by its close proximity to Fira de Barcelona. This is one of Barcelona's largest conference centres, where large conventions take place throughout the year.

Most necessary amenities can be found on Gran Via Cort Catalanes and its surrounding areas. These include pharmacies, banks, internet cafés and bureaus de change.

How to travel from the airport to the hotel

Booking your airport transport in advance online

The advanced booking transfers below are independent of the the public transport system. This means if there is a public transport strike these services will continue to operate as normal and you will not be affected by the strike action.

Minibus shared transfer (advanced reservation required)

A shared minibus transfer option is cheaper than the private transfer. You would need to make your way to designated meeting point at the airport.

With a private transfer service the driver will be waiting for you at your arrivals gate. He will have a board or a sign with your name on it so that you can easily identify him. The driver will help you with your bags to the vehicle and then drive you to your hotel.

Public transport transfer options

Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 25 minutes and cost around €25.00 - €30.00 .

Via Train: The RENFE train leaves the airport every half an hour and will take you to Passeig de Gràcia in 25 minutes. You can either use the T10 transport ticket from the airport (T10 costs €9.95 for 10 separate journeys on Barcelona public transport) or you can buy a single fare ticket for
€4.10 . You then change at Passeig de Gràcia onto the Yellow Line metro and travel one stop to Urquinaona and then change onto the Red Line and travel to Rocafort. Your hotel is then 10 minutes walk from the metro.

Via Bus: Take the 'Aerobus' to Plaça de Catalunya from directly outside the airport. The Aerobus generally runs every 10 - 15 minutes and the journey time is 30 minutes. The hotel is about a 30 minute walk from here. If you take a taxi it will take about 10 - 15 minutes and cost around €10.00 - €12.00. Alternatively, you can catch the metro from Plaça de Catalunya to Rocafort on the Red Line; from here the hotel is a 10 minute walk.

Reservations

In a nutshell

HCC Open Barcelona is a standard hotel that offers the added bonus of a pass to its more glamorous sister hotels. It is likely to be popular amongst those attending conventions at Fira de Barcelona conference centre. However, it is still well placed for tourists - within 15 minutes walking distance of the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia.